Creating in Jazz | Music Director
July 21 – July 27
Based in New York City, saxophonist Christopher McBride’s work includes education, arranging, composition, and performance. He has been slowly but steadily turning heads with his ubiquitous work as an invaluable sideman since the mid-2000’s. Christopher is steadily gaining respect amongst fans, critics, and his peers as one of the most versatile saxophonists in the world. His debut album Quatuor de Force (2012) certainly establishes his ability to lead a group and write his own soulful, melodically indelible tunes. Applauded for his ability to play in all musical situations, Christopher has the ability to unleash a fiery attack and serrated tone, though on his first album he explores a more measured, mellow sound heavily influenced by contemporary R&B—with a strong shot of Cannonball Adderley’s post-bop sensuality. As a composer, Christopher was selected as the 2022 Make Jazz Fellowship Artist at The 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica, California.
Born in Chicago, where his professional career began in 2007, Christopher moved to New York City in 2013. His group, The Whole Proof, has played venues all over New York City. Christopher ran his Singer Meets Saxophonist series at the famed Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem from 2017-2019. The musicians he has performed with over the years span many genres. He has shared the stage with Billy Preston, Percy Gray, Roy Hargrove, Pete Rock, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Guy Sebastian, Solange, Ne-Yo, Jennifer Hudson, Alice Smith, Brandon Flowers, Lea DeLaria, 88 Keys, Milton Mustafa, Winard Harper, and the Marquis Hill’s Blacktet.
As a recording artist, Christopher’s February 2023 release Ramon made the Top 25 on the JazzWeek Charts and stayed on the charts for 14 weeks, as well as making the JazzWeek Top 100 albums for 2023. The sophomore release has received critical acclaim. All About Jazz called the album “a sonic marvel that showcases a robust grasp of bebop and contemporary jazz idioms.” As a performing artist, he has received a Grammy Certificate for his work as a collaborator/soloist on Steven Feifke and Bijon Watson’s 2022 album Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra.
As an educator, Christopher has served as the Director of Education for the Second Line Arts Collective, a non-profit organization based out of New Orleans, LA. His primary duties included writing curriculum for the Little Stompers Division and teacher development. He also teaches regularly at Jazz at the Lincoln Center, as well as touring nationally with various educational programs.
As a journalist and consultant, Christopher has worked with Forbes Ignite, the innovation coalition of Forbes.
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